Local Fireworks Guide Horsham & District | 01403 251000 | www.the-resident.co.uk
Pages 32-33
Friday 21st October 2011
FREE
Carmageddon! Matthew James News Editor
matthew@the-resident.co.uk
Councillors have voted to increase car parking charges by an average of 20 per cent, despite fears that the changes will hit hard-pressed businesses. At a full council meeting on Wednesday evening, Horsham District Council supported fee rises designed to cut the council’s net budget while improving the quality of car parks in the town. But Liberal Democrat councillor Frances Haigh, who represents Horsham Park ward, told the meeting: “Our competition comes from the supermarkets where parking is free and from the internet which is available 24/7. “Residents have commented on Facebook that these increased prices mean they will shop at the supermarkets instead.
“Nationally we are in the midst of the worst recession for 30 years. Some of our town traders are hanging on by a thread. They need us to be providing policies that support them. “Arun District Council has introduced a one-year trial offering free parking for two hours in Bognor Regis. Why can we not do that here on one day midweek to encourage people into the town?
‘
Some of our town traders are hanging on by a thread
’
“We have before us one of the worst documents I have seen in this council, rushed through, almost bypassing the committee and consultation stages. “If you took this plan to any business analyst, they would throw it out. Many of
us here have business backgrounds and we should be throwing it out.” Cllr Andrew Baldwin (Con, Holbrook East) expressed irritation with some of the arguments put forward by Lib Dem councillors. He told them: “I really don’t think it is half the problem you’re making it out to be. I don’t think putting up parking charges a little bit will make a blind bit of difference. “You can’t compare Bognor Regis to Horsham. It’s like comparing a clapped out old banger to a Rolls Royce. Bognor Regis is a dump. “What is proposed is perfectly reasonable and the majority of people will support it.” The council will allocate £130,000 of the expected extra income to fund new parking machines, car park cleaning, lighting improvements and a parking customer survey.
What’s Chris Evans doing at one of our schools?
01403 786128 07825 517439 9 Jengers Mead Billingshurst RH14 9PB
01403 242424 The only taxi number you will ever need HorsHam To GaTwick £25 HorsHam To HeaTHrow £65 NO PRICE RISE IN THE LAST 5 YEARS
Hackney & private hire
Continued on Page 2
See Page 3
DRIVING PRICES DOWN
MOTORBIKE MOTs AVAILABLE ALL CAR MAKE SERVICING AND REPAIRS
MOT SPECIAL OFFER
£10.00 OFF
Car & Van MOTs - Free Retest Within 10 Days* *Please quote ‘The Resident’ at time of booking to validate offer. Retail customers only. Offer valid until 31.10.2011.
Tel: 01403 750500
www.kevingriffincars.co.uk
Nightingale Road, Horsham
HIGHEST PRICES PAID FOR GOLD WHIBLEYS 61 West Street Horsham Call in today for a FREE no obligation valuation of your unwanted gold & silver
Next to HMV Tel. 01403 255 666
Guildford ~ Richmond ~ Horsham ~ Worthing and whibleys.com